Yuryu (you-ree-ou)

Little is known about these strange creatures, as they rarley leave the very inaccesible Yuryu island. They can sometimes be seen flying overhead on misty or rainy days. Seeing a flight of yuryus is belived to be a sign that someone will soon meet their end.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Yuryus have long, flat, segmented bodies and a long, slim tail. They have six legs for walking, while the two legs in the front have evolved into wings. The head is somewhat shovel-shaped with two white eyes on the overside. They have four antennas, the two outer ones are much longer than the inner pair.
The exoskeleton is a reddish-brown, while the skin-like membrane that covers the entire overside and wings of the creature is grey with dark stripes.

Genetics and Reproduction

A colony of yuryus will only have one female, called queen. The queen will grow much larger than the males, and she will lay hundreds of thousands of eggs in her lifetime, but only a few of them make it to adulthood. While adult yuryus live on land, the eggs are laid in the ocean.

Growth Rate & Stages

After hatching, the zoea are very small and completely flightless. They spend their childhood in the ocean, primarily around the base off the cliffs of Yuryu island where they fend for themselves. Young yuryus are the main food source for many other creatures, and only about 1-2% of them survive, but the ones that do don't gain the ability to fly until about 5 years of age. They will then fly out of the ocean and up on the cliffs to join the rest of the colony.

Ecology and Habitats

Yuryus nest on Yuryu island. But they will sometimes fly inland to scavenge for food.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Yurys are omnivourus scavengers. They prefer to feast on carcasses of other animals, but will also eat the algea that grows on cliff-faces nearthe ocean.

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

Yuryus communicate primarily through pheromones, so their sense of smell is vital to them.

Name Origin & Meaning

The name "yuryu" comes from the varan words "yu"=to bring, and "yuru"=death.

Lifespan

N/A

Average Weight

10 - 20 kg (drones)
100 - 150 kg (queens)

Average Length

1.5 - 3 meter wingspan (drones)
10 - 15 meter wingspan (queens)

Geographic Distribution

• Yuryu island

Terminology

• A male yuryu is called a drone.
• A female yuryu is called a queen.
• A juvenile yuryu is called a zoea or larva.
• A group of yuryu is called a flight or colony.
• The plural of yuryu is yuryus.